CAGAYAN, Philippines- Several areas in North Luzon are now preparing for the wrath of Typhoon Ferdie (Meranti), which is expected to make landfall in Batanes islands early morning Wednesday, September 14.

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba ordered the suspension of classes from pre-school to senior high school on Tuesday, September 13. He later suspended all levels of classes in the province on Wednesday.

Mamba said that the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan are now on red alert to respond on emergency and rescue situations.

“Residents in the province are advised to take precautionary measure against impacts of very strong winds and heavy rainfall,” Mambsa said in an advisory.

“Small seacrafts and fishing boats were also advised not to venture due to big waves caused by typhoon, likewise residents near mountain slopes for possible landslides and flash floods along river banks and tributaries,” he added.

In Batanes, classes in all levels were also suspended as the province was placed under Tropical Cyclone Storm Warning Signal No. 3.

Meanwhile, 16 passengers were stranded in different ports in Northern Luzon.

Hanna Bang-od, chief of operations of the Philippine Coast Guard- Northeast Luzon, said that the stranded passengers should be heading to Calayan Islands and to the coastal towns of Isabela province.

She said that the PCG are now closely monitoring the coastal areas in Cagayan and Isabela for possible storm surges.

As of 10 am on Tuesday, Bang-od said their monitoring center in Aparri has observed moderate to rough current of waves.

Flights from Manila to Basco, Batanes and vice versa have also been cancelled. Published in Rappler.com/TNF